A soft click sounded, as if cutting off everything outside and trapping her within this tiny space.
Her back pressed against the cold door, and the strength she had forced herself to maintain seemed to drain away in an instant.
Her graceful body slowly slid down along the doorframe before she finally collapsed helplessly onto the icy floor.
Her long hair fell forward, covering her face.
After a long while, muffled, suppressed sobs finally came from the crook of her arms.
Early the next morning, "Xue Qinghe" bade farewell to Ning Fengzhi and left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
As soon as Qian Renxue left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, two figures appeared before her.
"Young Mistress! Did everything go smoothly?"
"Mm, let's go! She Long, Ci Xue, we're returning to the Crown Prince's Mansion!"
"Yes!"
Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—
"Xiao Wu, Zhu Qing, did you sleep well last night?"
Ning Fengzhi's gentle voice rang out in the courtyard as his gaze fell upon the two lively young girls.
Xiao Wu immediately beamed, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Uncle Ning! I slept wonderfully! The beds in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are so soft—much more comfortable than the ones at the academy. I almost couldn't get up!"
Zhu Qing nodded as well, a trace of relaxation showing between her usually cool brows.
"Mm, Uncle Ning, we both rested very well. Sorry to trouble you."
"Good, good."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and waved his hand, his tone growing even more amiable.
"This isn't the academy, so feel free to relax."
"If you need anything, just tell Rongrong or Su Yu. Don't hesitate."
As he spoke, Ning Rongrong ran over from beneath the corridor, holding two glistening bunches of grapes.
"Xiao Wu, Zhu Qing, come and